Himu's Window

  Rajshahi Government College authorities have prohibited entry of female students and women on the campus after college hours ends at 4:00pm. The college authorities said the move was taken to check increasing anti-social activities and movement of drug runners on the campus while students and NGO activists said the authority imposed the ban without any logical ground. The decision has been implemented following a meeting of the Academic Council, college Principal Dr Ali Reja Abdul Mazid said, adding, "There are reports of abuse of female students and outsider women on the campus by their so-called friends or fiancés. The situation worsens in the evening when drug peddlers and users also become active. So, we took the action." Terming the college authority's decision as an anti-women move, students said the decision will be harmful for the students who are engaged in private tuition. The authority could prevent unfair activities on the campus with the help...

  Asadullah Al Galib, chief of Islamist militant outfit Ahle Hadith Andolan Bangladesh (Ahab), was freed on bail yesterday from Bogra Jail. The High Court (HC) granted him bail in two cases as the trials could not be held within the time set by the HC six months ago. Since his arrest on February 23, 2005, a total of ten cases were filed against the militant kingpin and a close ally of executed Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) chief Shayekh Abdur Rahman. However, during the then BNP-Jamaat alliance government, Galib was relieved of charges in six of the cases and was granted bail in another case. On July 26, during the term of the present government, a Gaibandha court declared him not guilty in an explosives case. Six months back, the HC ordered that Galib would be awarded bail in two other cases (one for explosions in Shahjahanpur and the other for murdering a person in the explosions) unless the trial of the murder case is completed within three months and the ...

  Anwar Ali, Rajshahi Spiritual leader of Jama'atul Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB) Dr Asadullah Al Galib may be freed in a few days. Galib, Arabic teacher at Rajshahi University and also chief of Ahle Hadith, Bangladesh (Ahab), was granted bail by Bogra Session Judge's court in Shahjahanpur theatre (jatra) bombing case in pursuance of an earlier conditional bail by the High Court. Now there is virtually no legal barrier in his release, said his lawyers. His release would take a few days more as there were two warrants for producing him before courts in under-trial cases, they said adding that recalling warrants are a matter of time. Out of total nine cases filed against him by the state since his arrest, he was acquitted in one case while final reports were given in five cases, relieving him of charges. He was granted bail by High Court in three other cases. However, acquitting Galib in Polashbari jatra blast case in Gaibandha, the judge had said, the prosecution ...

  Anwar Ali, Rajshahi Leaders of Awami league and BNP in Rajshahi are worried that they may face a 'risk of impending intra-party rift' by approving candidature of party men in the planned upazila election. They apprehend that grassroots leaders who will not get party nod in upazila elections may work against them in general election. The situation is worst for BNP. Party leaders in many northern districts are already witnessing splits in the party while the gap between BNP and its ally Jamaat is widening. "We are against holding of upazila election before national polls as it will create manifold problems in country's politics that is already in crisis", said Azizur Rahman, president of Rajshahi BNP. He, however, admitted that many BNP leaders have expressed opinions for contesting the upazila election. "They are taking their own decisions as we are against the polls". Some Awami League bigwigs said, rift in the party has already started...

  Anwar Ali, Rajshahi A fresh controversy is racking Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) as the corporation authorities are getting ready to give permanent appointments to 72 temporary staff just ahead of the new mayor-elect's induction to the office. The temporary staff had allegedly been hired on political consideration during the tenure of former mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, a BNP leader currently in jail on charges of corruption. RCC Mayor-elect AHM Khairuzzaman Liton is scheduled for taking the oath of office on August 29, and the recruitment move just before his induction has given rise to some questions in the city. RCC officials said current Acting Mayor Rezaunnabi Dudu, who also claims to be a member of BNP, has been pressuring them to complete the recruitment process 'in a hurry'. Liton, who won the recent mayoral election with an Awami League ticket, condemned the move and termed it a part of RCC authorities' 'recruitment business'. He alread...

  Rajshahi City Awami League last night expelled two of its front ranking leaders including its president Masudul Haque Dulu for contesting in the August 4 city corporation election against party leader AHM Khairuzzaman Liton. Liton was elected mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation. The city AL unit in its executive committee meeting also expelled vice-president of the city unit Mostaque Ahmed Labu, Dulu's close associate. The expulsion orders would be sent to AL central committee for its approval, said meeting sources. Twelve other Dulu's men including three city AL vice- presidents were also asked to explain why they would not be expelled from the party for 'breaking party rules'. The vice presidents are Bazlar Rahman, Mir Iqbal Hossain and Tabibur Rahman Sheikh. The other leaders are Shamsur Rahman, Mir Abul Kalam Azad, Khairul Bashar, Salauddin Raju, Menajjul Hossain, Mansur Zaman, Khairul Kabir, Wares Ali and Saiful Islam. They were asked to show cause w...

WHEN the backlash to a trivial matter has such upshots as injuring 60 people, damaging private and public property, shutting down traffic and closing of a university sine die then there must be something seriously wrong with our collective psyche. We have the discomfiture for the umpteenth time to comment on a series of errant outbursts, this time originating in a coach conductor's ham-handed treatment to a student of Rajshahi University. The student was allegedly forced out of a Dhaka-bound bus for demanding a seat he has paid for. The behaviour of the bus conductor was reprehensible calling for disciplinary action, no doubt. What should have been the normal option for the student to exercise was to approach the coach authority to lodge a formal complaint with, ask for refund of the fare and furthermore demand compensation for the journey missed. Instead, he reported the incident to his fellow students which had the effect of agitating them to attack Rajshahi-Dhaka b...

The masterminds behind assassination attempt on Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004 remain undetected even after charges have been pressed in two cases filed in this connection. The government investigators believe although 22 people are charge-sheeted, the key planners of the grisly grenade attack are still untraced. "The gravity of the attack indicates it was not possible to be carried out without backing of any influential group or some most powerful people. But we don't see any such findings," says an investigator who was assigned soon after the attack and discharged the duty for quite a long time. Referring to charge-sheeted accused BNP leader and former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu and Harkatul Jihad al Islami (Huji) top leader Mufti Abdul Hannan, another former investigator says though it's convincing that Huji was involved, they could not trace those who were behind Pintu and Hannan to carry out such a well-planned attack...

  Rajshahi University (RU) was closed for an indefinite period yesterday following violent clashes that erupted the night before between students and local businesspeople. The RU authorities asked resident students to vacate all of the 16 dormitories by 12:00 noon yesterday. At least 60 people including teachers, students and police personnel were injured and six off-campus stores vandalised during the clashes. Out of the seriously injured, mostly students, 20 were admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital while the rest were given first aid at RU Medical Centre. Bangladesh Rifles and Rapid Action Battalion were deployed on the campus at around 2:00am to contain the situation. The RU syndicate in an emergency meeting held later in the morning at the vice chancellor's (VC) residence decided to close the university sine die. Prof Mamnunul Keramat, the acting VC, said the decision was taken to avoid further casualties or damage to properties. "Academic activate...

  Rajshahi University has been closed sine die following clashes overnight between students and traders at Binodpur area adjacent to the campus.   The authority asked residential students to vacate all their halls in the campus within 12pm. Meanwhile, the students started leaving halls from the midnight when senior RU officio informed of an indefinite closure of the university.   The university high ups in a meeting with local administration opined for the closure in the midnight. Later in the morning, the RU  syndicate took the decision formally in a brief emergency meeting in the morning.   The clashes erupted following cheating of a student by businessmen Tuesday afternoon and the melee left around 100 persons hurt, three shops torched, and five others damaged. Attacks were launched at the residence of acting RU vice chancellor Prof Mamnunul Keramat and Shah Makhdum and Sher-e Bangla halls during violence.   Read:...

  Rice mill owners in Rajshahi and Khulna regions yesterday threatened to stop rice supply to government godowns if their 10-point demand is not met by August 31. The decision was taken at a meting of millers from 22 districts, held in Naogaon town on Monday. They briefed journalists here yesterday about their demands. The demands include change of government's rice procurement policy, allowing all millers to sell rice at the newly enhanced prices, fixed income tax, smooth power supply and considering rice mills as an agro-based industry. Federations of North Bengal Rice Mill Owners' Samity (FNBRMOS) and Naogaon District Rice Millers' Samity jointly held Monday's meeting. ATM Shamsul Haque, acting president of FNBRMOS, presided over the meeting attended by millers from 22 districts (16 from northern districts and six from southern districts). FNBRMOS general secretary KM Layek Ali, Naogaon Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Aminul Bari, Naogaon...

  Anwar Ali, Rajshahi After the victory in Rajshahi mayoral elections, the feud in Rajshahi Awami has come into the open while some bigwigs in the local committees are publicly saying about change in the leadership to 'ensure victory in next polls'. The split will certainly affect the party's vote bank in next upazila and parliamentary polls, a number of party insiders told this correspondent. The party's fate in the two elections will be uncertain without changes in leadership, they added. The difference between the groups loyal to city AL general secretary AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and district AL president Tajul Islam M Faruk surfaced during campaign for the August 4 city corporation polls when Tajul backed the 'rebel candidate' and city AL president Masudul Haque Dulu instead of Liton. After Liton won the polls, the split became quite open as grassroots leaders and workers loyal to him demanded action against those who worked against him (Liton) ...

  The second court of Additional District Judge here yesterday deferred charge framing in Rajshahi University (RU) professor Muhammad Yunus murder case against eight militants of Jama'atul Mujahidin, Bangladesh (JMB) for the third time. Judge Lutfa Begum fixed October 15 for charge framing after rejecting the bail prayer of Shahidullah Mahbub, husband of executed JMB leader Siddikul Islam Bangla Bhai's niece. Additional public prosecutor Masum Ahmed Tipu told newsmen that charge framing deferred yesterday as the district law and order committee sent a letter to the home ministry for trial of the case in Speedy Trial Tribunal. Charge framing was delayed twice earlier as law enforcing agencies could not produce all the accused before the court. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inspector Mohammad Helauddin pressed charges against a total of eight militants on September 10 last year. Thirteen accused including six cadres of Islami Chhatra Shibir were dropped f...

Elections under emergency won't be 'that much acceptable' Says US envoy US Ambassador James F Moriarty yesterday said elections under the state of emergency would not be "that much acceptable" as expected. The envoy made the remark while talking to reporters after addressing the inaugural ceremony of a joint medical exercise styled "Medical and Dental Civic Action Programme -2008" in the district. He also expressed his hope that the Election Commission would be able to hold the elections in line with its roadmap. "The US stands ready to assist Bangladesh in facilitating democratic governance, prosperity and stability," he said. ....     Criminalisation of politics still prevails Shujan says in Aug 4 polls analysis Staff Correspondent Easy victory of the candidates, allegedly involved in corruption and crimes, in the August 4 local body polls proves that the country has not got rid of political criminalisation, said Shusha...

  Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, the defeated BNP-backed mayoral candidate in the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) election, yesterday alleged that the August 4 RCC polls were engineered on a large scale. Bulbul, also the president of Rajshahi city unit Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, demanded removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda at a press conference at the Shalbagan BNP office in the city. No election in the future can be free and fair under the present CEC, said Bulbul, who rejected the polls result yesterday. Earlier, he conceded defeat to other mayoral candidate and Awami League leader AHM Khairuzzaman Liton on August 5. He, however, told newsmen that he would not challenge the election results in any electoral tribunal. "We have already welcomed the mayor-elect. But we are now questioning the electoral process as no election in the future will be free and fair if this flawed process is followed," said Bulbul. He alleged that many of his polling a...

  An 'attempt to murder' case was filed with Puthia Police Station yesterday in connection with a head-on collision between a truck and a car that left five people, including Rajshahi Mayor-elect AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, injured on Wednesday. Abdus Sattar, president of Baneswar union Awami League, lodged the case accusing unknown persons as witnesses' accounts of the accident suggest an attempt to murder. The plaintiff in his case said that the accident was preplanned with an aim to kill the mayor-elect. Liotn's companion Abdul Awal told reporters that their car was moving slowly when the accident occurred. Car driver Rezaul Islam said, "The truck was standing on the road but it suddenly started rolling towards us. When I realised that it is going to hit us, it was too late." He is now undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Officer-in-charge of Puthia Police Station said they launched an investigation into the case. The truck ...

Rajshahi Mayor-elect hurt in car crash at Puthia on August 13 afternoon. Read the news...

Published On: 2008-08-13 Front Page Anwar Ali, Rajshahi Even before taking oath, Rajshahi mayor-elect and Awami League leader AHM Khairuzzaman Liton has drawn considerable controversy for his activities like visiting the den of militant-kingpin Asadullah Al Galib. Referring to the visit, even his party men say he bagged votes from many of Galib's followers. They add Liton during campaign avoided clearing his stance on militancy fearing impact on his vote tally and now made the visit. He visited central offices of Galib's outfit Ahle Hadith Andolon, Bangladesh (Ahab), its youth front Ahle Hadith Jubo Sangha (AHJS) and Ahab-run Al Markajul Islami As-Salafi Madrasa in Nawdapara on Sunday and was accorded a reception. An AHJS press release says Liton in his speech observed that Ahab and AHJS [suspected militant outfits] leaders and workers faced atrocities during BNP-Jamaat rule as Galib and his men were detained over "false" accusation. The release also...

Rajshahi mayor-elect AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, an Awami League leader, drew flak from his party men at a reception in the city yesterday evening as he said he was mayor of all and wanted to serve all citizens irrespective of political ideologies.After election on Wednesday, Liton told the media that he wanted to rise above his political identity, remove politicisation of the city corporation administration and serve all citizens alike.Retorting to his remarks, central Awami League adviser Prof Abdul Khaleque said at the reception yesterday, “Winning the election with Awami League support, Liton should not be courageous enough to say about rising above party politics”.Prof Khaleque, also a former vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University, said, “Liton once told me you are in the chair (of vice chancellor) as Awami League is in power. In the same way, I want to remind him that he won the election on Awami League support”.In reply, Liton however said he would never forget contributions of Ban...

  Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) mayor-elect AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said when in office, he would investigate the widespread allegations of corruption by former RCC mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, now behind the bars, and take action against his predecessor's massive politically-motivated recruitment of RCC employees. He said he has planned steps to free RCC from corruption, nepotism and politicisation and make it a development-oriented organisation with people's participation. "I am grateful to the people for electing me. I want to set a good example. But I am a human being, not an angel. If you see me somewhere surrounded by bad people, who appear to be my friends, or are party-men or even my relatives, please alert me as they can detach me from the people," said Liton choking in emotion at a press conference held in the city yesterday. "If anyone using my name wants to bribe, extort money or attempts to obtain a job or any kind of privileges, just ...

    Anwar Ali, Rajshahi AHM Khairuzzaman Liton sailed through the race on the back of the BNP's image crisis and a congealed pro-liberation force to fend off Jamaat that backed BNP candidate Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul at the last moment. The AL victory in the BNP-Jamaat stronghold is first in the last 35 years after Liton's father and national leader AHM Quamaruzzaman was elected in the 1973 parliament elections. The election results show despite rivalry in the AL-led 14-party combine over nominations, Jamaat support for BNP is not always effective. Meanwhile, in a rare democratic stance after the election results, AHM Khairuzzaman rushed to his nearest competitor BNP's Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, who also readily accepted the defeat. "I was fresh in the race... In fact, the central BNP was boycotting the polls. None of the senior leaders helped me," Bulbul was describing the reason behind his defeat after admitting it before The Daily Star. "Many ...

Read THE DAILY STAR lead story : Monday's (August 4, 2008) local government elections were more or less a success for the government and the Election Commission (EC), with some minor but important problems to be accounted for.Absence of violence, turnout of a large number of voters and almost rigging free elections with the exception of some allegations in Barisal which probably should not be taken lightly, were some of the most pronounced features of the first polls under the current state of emergency presided over by a military backed caretaker government.Almost dispute free poll results, again with the exception of Barisal, can be considered as the sign of the polls' credibility and fairness. But all that had to be earned at the expense of democracy under a state of emergency in full force. Perhaps the biggest setback for the government is that their mission to bring honest and clean public representatives did fall short somewhat, as a large number of people with criminal r...

  Anwar Ali and Abu Kalam, Rajshahi An enthusiastic Amjad Hossain headed out to cast his vote at the Sabitri Girls' High School polling centre at Ghoramara of Rajshahi city with his shiny new digitised national identity card (NID). No sooner had he reached the centre at around 11:00am, than his bubble burst. He was told by the polling officer that the voter registration number, not the NID number, is required to cast vote. It took an hour and a half for this elderly person to go home and get back to the polling centre with the voter registration number. He had to spend the next half hour in the queue again. After all this, who would have thought that more shocking discoveries awaited the 52-year-old? After Amjad's voter registration number was verified, he found it hard to believe that someone else had already cast his vote. "How could the polling officer allow someone else to cast my vote when there's my photograph printed on the new voter roll?" h...

Violating the rules for poster size, a Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) councillor aspirant, top, hangs posters printed on plastic paper. An RCC mayor candidate uses large replicas of his electoral symbol while another goes even further by using coloured ones. Photo: STAR Anwar Ali, Rajshahi Campaign expenditure of most mayoral and councillor candidates, especially of politically nominated ones, doubled the limits by the time electioneering in Rajshahi metropolis ended at zero hour Sunday.The mayor hopefuls in Rajshahi City Corporation were set to spend Tk 5 lakh and councillor aspirants Tk 1 lakh during campaigns.But reports say mayor candidates spent even Tk 12 lakh to Tk 20 lakh each, while several councillor aspirants spent at least Tk 5 lakh.Speaking anonymously, a number of candidates' polling agents admitted the fact and said real expenditure would be even higher due to rampant distribution of money among the poor voters.Many voters also believe though the spending was muc...

  Anwar Ali, Rajshahi Pro-BNP mayoral candidates in Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) election are unlikely to achieve any gains despite Jamaat's last moment support due to widening infighting between them. The split between the groups loyal to jailed mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu and former BNP lawmaker Kabir Hossain was created over the selection of acting mayor Rejaunnabi Dudu and city Jubo Dal President Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul as mayoral candidates Apparently, Kabir-group is supporting BNP-adherent Dudu while Minu's group is backing Bulbul. But, a large section of Minu's group has reportedly developed opinion against Bulbul widening the crisis further. They alleged that those who were engaged in tender vandalism and corruption during BNP-Jamaat coalition rule and responsible for Minu's jail, are also campaigning for Bulbul. Although Minu gave his support to Bulbul from jail, but many of his followers said Minu does not want the emergence of any other lead...

Anwar Ali, Rajshahi Even though the electorate expect a clear stance on the militancy issue from the mayoral candidates of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), the candidates, however, avoided talking about it fearing it would affect their vote tally. The election campaigns ended yesterday midnight ahead of the start of polling at 8:00am August 4. Campaign sources said the candidate supported by the Awami League AHM Khairuzzaman Liton believes it is better not to talk about the militancy issue at the local government election since he expects to draw large number of votes from BNP-Jamaat supporters. These votes could swing if he talks too much against militancy, an issue that plagued the region during the BNP-Jamaat regime. The BNP-backed candidate Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul felt relieved as no other candidates discussed the issue which was an "embarrassment" to the BNP-Jamaat government, party insiders said. Other candidates thought talking about the militancy issue w...